Joanne Marie Shields

Joanne Shields, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and former resident of Othello and Kennewick, Washington, passed away January 16, 2023 in Spokane Valley, Washington.  Joanne was born June 22, 1930 in Butte Montana to Gertrude and Arthur Abrahamsen.  She attended the schools in Butte, where she graduated from high school, and on June 12, 1948, Joanne married Kenneth Shields.

Throughout her life, Joanne had worked several different jobs.  She went from being a clerk in a hardware store, to being a manager of an Air Force Base commissary, then a secretary for the Federal Fish and Game followed by the Bureau of Reclamation from which she retired. 

Joanne was preceded in death by husband Kenneth Shields, her parents, two brothers and one grandchild.  Joanne is survived by three sons Kenneth (Dianna) of Moses Lake, WA, John (Lynn) of Kennewick, WA and Charles of Spokane Valley, WA; One daughter Linda of Olympia, WA; 12 Grandchildren; 24 Great grandchildren; one Great-great grandchild and several nieces. 

The inurnment is scheduled for Friday, July 14, 2023, 11:15 a.m. at the Washington State Veteran's Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington followed by a 1:00 p.m. Memorial Service and Reception at Hennessey Valley Funeral Home. Joanne’s family would like to thank the staff at Colonial Court for their kindness and care of Joanne, as well as Hospice of Spokane for their compassionate service.